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If you think Mark Scheifele had a sour taste in his mouth after last year's bronze medal performance at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Alberta, imagine what it was like for Jacob Trouba after Team USA finished in seventh place.

The good news for Trouba is that much like Scheifele, he figures to get a shot at re-writing history during the holiday season.

The Winnipeg Jets 2012 first round pick was among the 27 players named to Team USA's preliminary roster on Tuesday and as he shared his thoughts from Ann Arbor, Mich., during a telephone interview, Trouba sounded like a man on a mission.

"It's definitely really exciting. This is something I was looking forward to after last year," said Trouba, who has four goals, 10 points and 44 penalty minutes in 14 games with the University of Michigan Wolverines this season. "We kind of want to redeem ourselves. Last year didn't go the way we wanted it to obviously. It's time to go back at it.

"The lockout is something that nobody really wants, but it's going to be the best players in the world at this tournament, who are eligible. That's what you want this tournament to be. I'm looking forward to playing against the best guys. It's another chance to get better and improve myself."

Trouba, a physically imposing blue-liner with skill, is one of three potential returnees for the U.S. and after essentially stealing a spot on last year's squad and turning in one of the steadier performances on the back end, the Michigan product finds himself in a much different position this time around.

"I'm more confident in myself. Last year I was coming into camp trying to fight for a spot and I was pretty much a long shot, but a lot of pieces fell into place to give me a spot on the team and I took advantage of that," the 18-year-old explained. "This year, I know what to expect and what is expected out of me and how I need to play."

How Trouba needs to play is with a physical edge.

He's been known to provide thundering checks and brings a nasty side to his game.

But he's also a strong puck mover who can chip in offensively.

Trouba is expected to anchor the defence corps along with Seth Jones, who is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

He'll also be counted on to provide leadership, which is a responsbility he relishes.

"It's something I feel like I can do, something I can offer and something I want to do," said Trouba.

Although Team USA head coach Phil Housley wasn't about to speculate on who his captains might be, Trouba is a strong candidate to at least wear a letter.

"Anytime you can get guys with experience in the world junior tournament, it rubs off on everybody else," said Housley, the longtime NHL defenceman and former Jet. "We're going to need to lean on guys who have leadership qualities when times get tough and we face adversity. I think Jacob can provide that. He's definitely an all-around package player. He'll lead by example."

Jets prospect Trouba ready to take on the world

Jacob Trouba should be representing the Red, White and Blue over the holidays.

The Winnipeg Jets 2012 first-round pick was among the 27 players announced to the Team USA preliminary roster for the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship, scheduled for Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ufa, Russia.

Trouba, 18, is one of three returnees invited to the camp, which takes place at the New York Rangers practice facility in Tarrytown, N.Y. from Dec. 16 to 18.

The ninth overall selection in 2012 has four goals, 10 points and 44 penalty minutes in 14 games with the University of Michigan Wolverines this season.

Trouba is expected to anchor the defence along with Seth Jones of the Portland Winterhawks, who is projected to be one of the top picks in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Team USA will name its final 23-man roster on Dec. 23.

The head coach of Team USA at the world junior tournament is former Jets defenceman Phil Housley.